ENERGY STAR Labeled Building Profile

The WashingtonElementarySchool District created a strategic goal of reducing electric energy consumption by 40 percent over a 5-year period. In year one (2008-2009), the district began an energy behavior modification program to reduce energy usage by 10 percent across 33 district campuses. The District implemented the program in-house without assistance from outside consultants. It used ENERGY STAR tools that EPA makes available to the public at no cost. Each building was benchmarked and energy data tracked monthly through EPA's Portfolio Manager. Each campus created an energy committee, energy conservation plan, and an energy curriculum. District administration supported these efforts by providing facility managers, principals, staff, parents, and students with ideas on ways to conserve in the buildings. Monthly energy reports were distributed to administration, staff, students, and parents on all campuses. The entire process was transparent. Friendly competition between campuses resulted in the District reducing electric usage by 15 percent. In addition, natural gas consumption was reduced by 10 percent and solid waste by 50 percent.

SahuaroElementary School took the energy challenge to heart--they created an energy committee and an aggressive energy awareness campaign and went to work to train building staff and students to turn off lights, reduce appliance use, and better manage energy over vacations and holidays. At the end of the year, SahuaroElementary School had increased its energy performance rating by 14 points, reduced electric energy consumption by 14.72 percent, and saved the District $16,924 in electric energy costs. All of these savings were the result of modifying energy behaviors. As year two of the energy program begins, the District as a whole is challenged to continue the journey by reducing electric energy usage an additional 10 percent.

Communications:

The district communicates about its energy efficiency efforts in WESD News (a District-wide newsletter), individual school newsletters, the District Web site, KSAZ TV channel 10, Moon Valley Tattler newspaper, North Central News, and Cactus Village Community Newsletter.

Testimonial:

"The tools provided to the WashingtonElementarySchool District through ENERGY STAR are outstanding! The District took the entire ENERGY STAR planning process and implemented it meticulously. After one year, the District has reduced electric energy consumption over 33 campuses by 15 percent and natural gas consumption by 10 percent! We are telling others that energy conservation does not have to cost a lot of money if you use ENERGY STAR tools!"

Please note: Narrative information in this profile has been provided by Washington Elementary School District No. 6 or a representative of this facility. Other building information was verified and submitted to EPA at the time of application. Building energy performance, operating characteristics, and ownership/management may be subject to change over time.